Description: A wheel and axle is a type of simple machine. The axle is a rod
that goes through the wheel, which allows the wheel to turn. A wheel is
akin to a lever that constantly rotates, and mechanical advantage (the
factor by which a mechanism multiplies the force put into it) is gained
because the distance the outside of the wheel travels is typically much
greater than the distance the outside of the axle travels. The friction on
the axle is overcome by the force on the outside of the wheel. |
